What is ultraviolet radiation?
Ultraviolet radiation is one form of radiant energy coming from the sun. The various forms of energy, or radiation, are classified according to wavelength, measured in nanometres (one nm is a millionth of a millimetre). The shorter the wavelength, the more energetic the radiation. In order of decreasing energy, the principal forms of radiation are gamma rays, X rays, UV (ultraviolet radiation), visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, and radio waves.
The spectrum of solar radiation includes both visible light and an invisible light, which cannot be seen, known as ultraviolet radiation. The sun’s ultraviolet rays are divided into UVA, UVB, and UVC. Until recently, UVB rays considered the only form of radiation to cause skin damage such as sunburn, wrinkling and premature aging. Research indicates that UVA contributes to skin damage including pre-cancerous changes.
